Geophytes Collection
Geophytes are perennial plants which grow back every year from an underground organ such as a bulb, tuber, corm or rhizome. With this organ they spend part of the year dormant in order to survive the inhospitable climate of this period. There are many thousends of different species. In our collection we have 1,385 species of the 2,502 we are currently planning to obtain.
Distribution and habitats
Temperate climates with marked cyclical regimes such as the Mediterranean climate are rich in geophytes which perform a short cycle when the climatic conditions are favorable for their reproduction. But there are geophytes in almost every possible climate and soil and therefore their area of distribution is worldwide.
Growth Habits and Features
Géophytes come in two types, winter dormant and summer dormant, depending on the most difficult time to survive.
Growth rates in culture
We adapt our cultivation techniques to the growth rhythms of our species according to their geographical origin. We have divided our collection into three main groups:
- Winter and spring growing plants. Mainly from the Mediterranean basin, western South Africa, Central Asia and North America. These geophytes mostly grow in full sun, moist soil, and cool temperatures. They are kept dry during the summer.
- The plants with summer growth. Mainly from South America, Eastern South Africa and Central Asia. These geophytes mostly grow in partial shade in porous and humid soils. They are kept dry during the winter.
- The persistent plants. These geophytes mostly grow in partial shade in porous and humid soils. They are mainly species of the genera Cyclamen, Galanthus and Trillium.
A genus can be present in different groups, thus the genus Gladiolus comprising winter-growing species and summer-growing species.